Satellite partnerships grow as mobile networks prepare for broader non-terrestrial services by 2025

At Mobile World Congress 2026, industry leaders highlighted the growing adoption of satellite partnerships by mobile operators, with 118 operators engaged and 33 services live as of December 2025. The focus is on integrating non-terrestrial networks (NTN) into mobile broadband, though initially, these services may remain niche for messaging and emergencies. The adoption of 3GPP Release 19 standards is seen as critical for scaling these services to mass-market use. This shift marks a move from speculative future tech to near-term commercial strategies in mobile connectivity.